Dear John, Really?
Words and Photo by Janea Beakley
Pastor John Piper
said, “Everything we do—even drinking orange juice—can be done with the
intention and hope that it will be to the advantage of many that they may be
saved.”
I read that and thought,
"Uh oh! Really, Pastor John?" If I must do everything to the glory of God, even drinking
orange juice, that means I must do dishes to the glory of God too. And grocery
shopping. Driving to Awanas. Working out at the YMCA. Changing dirty diapers?
Urgh, convicting.
It’s certainly
not a new concept that ALL I do must be done to the glory of God. I’ve had 1
Corinthians 10:31 underlined in my Bible and memorized since I was a little
girl. So, whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Since it does use the word ALL,
of course Pastor John is right, ALL includes drinking orange juice. The
convicting part is how that truth plays out in real life.
I confess, in
the chaos of a whining toddler, urgent requests to read yet another library
book, dinner waiting to be cooked, and guests expected soon after, I’m not
thinking about how I can glorify God. That’s because I’m not thinking rightly.
I’m left searching
my own heart, asking why? Why is it so difficult to look past the distractions
(even the good ones) to what really matters? Why am I kept up at night thinking
about shopping lists, projects, doctor appointments, and car repairs when I‘d
rather be praying for unsaved relatives, strategizing about how to evangelize
to our neighbors, or reading up on that counseling issue for the girl I’m
mentoring?
It’s because I’m
neatly separating my life into compartments labeled “spiritual” and “secular.”
Picking up dry cleaning—secular. Helping at youth group—spiritual. But God
doesn’t work in boxes like that. After all, 90% of life is mundane—work,
homework, sleeping, eating. Each and every daily circumstance is an opportunity
to exercise my glorifying-God-muscles. Each errand I run is a fresh venue to
live out my faith before watching eyes. Each tantrum is a chance to direct a little
heart toward the only one who can change it. That random encounter with the
lady at the park is really no coincidence. The phone call or email I don’t have
time for—all momentary gifts from God, whispering, calling me to enjoy Him by glorify
Him.
Will I fail?
Yes. Will I react impatiently? Yes. Will I complain about late nights, a busy
schedule, missed date nights with my husband? Sadly, yes. But that’s when I
most acutely see my need for the gospel in real life—the good news that Jesus
paid it all. Then I can bask in the light of the great truth in Romans our congregation
recently discussed—there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
That’s me! He forgives me when I fall and calls me to press on, seeking to
glorify Him in ALL I do.
Tomorrow, endless
new mercies await. But for now, I think I’ll go enjoy a tall chilled glass of
orange juice.

Janea is an Illinois transplant from LA. She is married to Josh Beakley and has two littles. She enjoys jogging in the rain, reading theological books, and watching Netflix with her man. Her most recent hobby is videographer of spontaneous ballet dances. Currently number one on her grocery list is, you guessed it, orange juice.
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